Belgium 1914 20 frank

Jean Elsen sale 122, lot 782

This specimen was lot 782 in Jean Elsen sale 122 (Brussels, September 2014), where it sold for €220 (about US$337 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Albert Ier (1909-1934), AV 20 frank, 1914 NL, Pos. A. Superbe. (kingdom of Belgium, Albert I (1909-34), gold twenty francs of 1914, Dutch legends, position A, extremely fine.)"

This was the last gold twenty frank issued in Belgium. The devastation of World War One, mostly fought on Belgian soil, prevented a return to hard currency.

Recorded mintage: 125,000.

Specification: 6.45 g, 0.900 fine gold, .186 troy oz AGW.

Catalog reference: Dupriez, 1981, Fr-422; KM-79.

Source:

• Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Philippe Elsen et al., Vente Publique 122: Collection de monnaies chinoises, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S. A., 2014.

Link to:

• 1882 20 francs
• 1914 50 centimes
• 1914 franc, French legends
• 1914 frank, Dutch legends
• 1914 20 francs
• Ghent 1918 2 frank
• 1934 20 frank
• Coins and currency dated 1914
• return to coins of Belgium